1.) The blog post - is a lovely photo post by Diana, being Part 1 of a multipart series documenting her recent trip to the UK. I'll come into it somewhere towards the end, but the first part is delightful - more general, about her 29 trips to these shores, with a great group of photos taken over the years. I swear, she knows Britain much better than I do.
2.) The link - so, the Man Booker longlist is out. I have read none; I own the Julian Barnes. This is the last time I shall mention anything to do with it...
3.) The book - had gone into a pile to go home: interesting enough to keep, but not to read for a while. It's Let Not The Waves of the Sea by Simon Stephenson, and I kept my review copy from John Murray mostly because I love the cover. And then I read this article from the Guardian, wept over it, and want to read it. Let Not The Waves of the Sea is non-fiction, about Stephenson's relationship with his brother Dominic, who died in the 2004 tsunami. My brother is the most important person in my life, and I love any book which cherishes the importance of siblings - even if this has a terribly tragic element, the blurb writes that it is 'more than a book about what it means to lose a brother: it is a book about what it means to have one in the first place.'
Hi Simon
ReplyDeleteYour cake looks delicious.
I have noted the book "let not the waves of the sea" thanks for the lead.
Wishing you a fun week cat sitting.
Helenxx
Thank you so much for the book recommendation and the Guardian link. Reading that piece bought a tear to my eye, and I am not normally a tearful person. My own two sons, eight years apart in age, are not as close as perhaps they could be ... the younger was always resentful of the older's having done everything first ... I think perhaps I shall buy him a copy of the book.
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays :D
Did you recently put up your 50 books list? I've got such a long reading list for my classes next year, but I was drawn in by your recommendations. I hope you enjoy your break -- and that it includes lots of cake and books!
ReplyDeleteI've just read a book that might interest you: The House at Norham Gardens, by Penelope Lively.
Thank you for the link. I love the pictures and Diana's narrative accompaniment. One day I hope to have picture of England with myself in them! :)
ReplyDeleteThe book definitely sounds intriguing. Have a great holiday!
Great cake!
ReplyDeleteAs far as the Booker long-list is concerned, I'm pleased to see the inclusion of Jane Rogers. She's been writing excellent novels for years and she was a visiting tutor when I was studying for Creative Writing at Birkbeck. Lovely lady.
Oh, my, Simon, thank you for the link to the article. I am putting this on my TBR list right now. If the article was this moving (I first teared up at this phrase: "every throw and catch had become an act of fraternal faith"), then I know the book will be very moving. I don't have an older brother, but I know I feel very much the same way as the oldest sister to a younger sister and two younger brothers.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time at home!
Thanks for the book link.
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks scrumptious!
The cake is totally ridiculous and wonderful, all at once.
ReplyDelete